We propose to use the unique combination of high spectral resolution of XMM andthe broadband coverage of NuSTAR to advance in the study of the nature of themysterious Be/X-ray source gamma Cas. This object displays extreme conditions: avery hot plasma (>12 keV), a very hard spectrum, and a big circumstellar disk.Two hypotheses have been put forward to explain the origin of the X-ray emissionin these objects: a) accretion onto a compact companion and b) emission from thestar+disk interaction through stellar magnetic fields. Both of these challengeprofoundly our current
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-07-24T13:33:09Z/2014-07-24T22:59:49Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Jose Torrejon, 2015, 'Gamma Cas: double trouble', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-w0ttnn2
